Eleven thousand miles, fifty towns, and one incredible view from Highway 5 created an experience of a lifetime. This summer I quickly realized that the northern California coastline and eastern Maryland inner city has a lot to offer a small town girl from Texas. Spending hours upon hours in a van with eleven ambassadors and ten Team Purebred board members certainly thinned my patience and gave me a greater appreciation of my personal space, but it was a minimal price to pay for the opportunity to represent Texas 4-H, and it was an adventure that I will never forget. 

One early morning in particular I vividly remember, the scene as I drove past Shasta Lake in Shasta Lake, California. It was an absolutely breathtaking view.  I attempted to snag a picture to share with my family, but it was a weak attempt in comparison to the real thing. I won’t ever forget that view. If there was a moment I wish I had a photographic memory, this was one of them. The color of the lake contrasted against the water’s edge and all of it was surrounded by these incredible green mountains. It was really something to see.  In those few minutes I realized a few of things. First, there is a heck of a lot more to this life than what small town Decatur, Texas offers. Second, I realized how removed I have been from the world around me. Third, I’ve had a fairly self centered attitude as of late. My quest for the perfect backpack for my senior year almost seemed like time wasted by now.  I brought a few things back from California. I brought back a keychain for my mom, a coffee mug for my dad, and a goal to invest in passionate, purposeful driven experiences, rather than materialistic desires. I would say I also had a bit of an epiphany when I realized what took me to California in the first place. Agriculture. It was a moment that solidified my next steps after high school and beyond.

Another significant moment  that I  remember was while I was walking through the Arlington National Cemetery. The profound environment of bravery and sacrifice filled the air as we walked past 400,000 gravesites of soldiers that passed away while in war; fighting for the freedoms of our country. While a photographic memory would have been nice to have while driving past Shasta Lake, a constant reminder of the feeling that the cemetery brought me throughout my daily life would have been greatly appreciated. It placed a greater appreciation on those that risk their life to provide me with the life that I have. 

My summer was filled with constant realizations to my lack of appreciation I have for the life I am able to live. I was given the opportunity to travel around the nation promoting and serving the agricultural industry; rather with Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassadors or with the Board of Directors with Team Purebred. The Livestock Ambassador program enhances the importance of agriculture education to the uneducated while the Team Purebred Directors is dedicated to helping young livestock show exhibitors become the best they can by putting on a number of livestock shows throughout the industry. Both programs not only expanded my knowledge of the agriculture industry, but gave me the opportunity to experience and see places like Shasta Lake and the National Cemetery. I can only hope that a summer in the near future is as eye opening as this past one was for me.